About Us

Telecommunications is our business, but our community is our passion.

Co.op.er.a.tive

Working or acting together willingly for a common purpose or benefit.

Incorporated on May 3, 1951, McDonough Telephone Cooperative was formed to bring telephone service to rural west central Illinois. The initial goal was to acquire 500 members interested in receiving reliable telephone service. Today, MDTC has over 3,700 members who subscribe to a broad range of telecommunication services through the co-op.

The cooperative is governed by a board of directors representing the different exchanges and elected to three-year terms. Each year at the cooperative’s annual meeting, the membership has the opportunity to vote on who should sit on the board.

A cooperative-wide upgrade project was completed in August 2003. As a result of this work, every MDTC member is able to receive high-speed DSL Internet. In 2005, the cooperative expanded its capabilities again and added digital video to its menu of more traditional services.

MDTC strives to provide its membership with state-of-the-art technology coupled with exceptional customer service. The seventh principle followed by cooperatives is concern for community.

McDonough Telephone’s responsibility to its members goes beyond providing good services at good prices. The cooperative and its employees participate in and support the communities they serve by donating time, money and services to help these areas grow and prosper.

Jay GriswoldCEO/President - MDTC

"I enjoy being part of the cooperative because we arepart of the community, which gives us the unique opportunity to make a difference."

Marsha LivingstoneVice President of Operations

"I enjoy working for our cooperative because it provides valuable services which help to sustain and benefit our small communities."

Mission Statement

To provide value-based telecommunications services that improve the quality of life for our members and the financial viability of the cooperative.We will accomplish our mission by deploying appropriate technologies, at justifiable costs, with skilled and motivated employees,while being a good citizen in our community.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. Members have equal voting rights – one member, one vote.

3. Members’ Economic Participation

Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. A cooperative business returns margins to their patrons. Any margins (or profits) are credited to each member’s capital credit account. Each member’s share of the capital credits for the year depends on the amount each individual paid into the cooperative during that year and on the total margins of the cooperative for the year.
Capital credits are retained for a number of years and the money is used as operating capital. Retaining capital credits reduces borrowing needs. Capital credits are paid to all people who were members in a certain year. Each year members receive a notice showing the amount of capital credits that have been credited to their account for the past year.

4. Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

5. Education, Training, and Information

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

7. Concern for Community

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work to improve the quality of life in the areas they serve.